Moses Lake officer damages patrol car

Struck light pole while looking for suspect

MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake police officer struck a light pole while looking for a suspect who fled from police Thursday night.

Officer Nathan Poplawski, 32, was traveling in a 2002 Crown Victoria patrol vehicle in a parking lot looking for a suspect along North Stratford Road, Moses Lake Capt. Jim Jenkins said. While the officer was looking for the suspect, the right front corner of the vehicle reportedly struck a light pole.

The accident caused approximately $1,000 worth of damage to the patrol vehicle, Jenkins said. The officer was not injured and no damage was caused to the light pole.

The collision was low impact. The officer was traveling approximately less than 5 mph, he said.

The officer was not cited for the collision because it took place on private property, Jenkins said. No one, including civilians, receive traffic citations for auto collisions taking place on private property, he added.

He said the department is reviewing the incident internally to determine if proper corrective action is required.

Poplawski has been with the department for close to one year and proven to his superiors he can perform his law enforcement duties effectively, Jenkins said.